Chlorophyll supplements may remind you of your biology class – because chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that enables them to perform photosynthesis, or make oxygen. You can find chlorophyll in nature in many green foods like spinach, parsley, and kale. In supplements, you will see it called chlorophyllin, which is a derivative that’s better absorbed.
Why are chlorophyll supplements gaining popularity?
Chlorophyll supplements may report having antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory benefits that are appealing for a variety of health issues. In pediatrics, its association with improvements in body odor and acne have generated attention on social media with adolescents. It’s important to understand which of these claims is backed by science, and which are just anecdotal hopes.
What do we know about chlorophyllin?
Chlorophyllin may be better absorbed than chlorophyll but eating the whole vegetables that contain chlorophyll has additional associated benefits, like fiber and other vitamins and nutrients. If you choose to supplement, we know that the liquid formulations of chlorophyllin are absorbed better than tablets.
There are some small studies that suggest that chlorophyllin may have some benefits including:
- Antioxidant
- Anti-cancer
- Deodorizing
- Improving acne
CHOP patients have wondered if using chlorophyllin will help address body odor and acne, those common nuisances of the adolescent years.
- Odor: There have been studies on chlorophyllin supplements to reduce the odor associated with urine and stool in elderly patients with catheters and ostomies, but these did not show a statistically significant improvement in smell. So, this supplement is not recommended if you are trying to improve your scent because of sweating or bad breath.
- Acne: Because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, chlorophyllin has had some benefits in adult acne in small studies. In one study, it was used topically in combination with light therapy to improve acne severity and sebum production. While these studies show some promise, the effects were not great enough to warrant this being recommended to all patients. There are many other acne treatments with more evidence that should be used first.
What are some concerns about using chlorophyllin?
While chlorophyllin may have benefits, we also do not have good safety data on children or breastfeeding parents using it. Supplements are not FDA-regulated, so it is also hard to ensure the quality and safety of any supplement. However, no major toxic effects have been reported related to chlorophyllin in the past 50 years.
Side effects of chlorophyllin supplementation may include green urine/stools, mild gastrointestinal upset, or photosensitivity. The risk for photosensitivity means that sun protection to prevent burns is important if you’re using this supplement.
Keep in mind that the supplement will also contain copper and sodium. You should also talk to your healthcare provider and pharmacist about any drug interactions between chlorophyllin and your medications.
What are we still learning?
The research that exists is mostly in the lab, performed on animals, or in small human studies, so larger, placebo-controlled trials are needed to determine how helpful and safe chlorophyllin supplementation is for children. While chlorophyllin has been used for at least 50 years, no significant benefits have been proven from its use and most of what you see on social media is anecdotal, not research-based. Given that chlorophyll is available in all green plants, we should strive to get it in our diet through whole foods rather than in a supplement.
Chlorophyll supplements may remind you of your biology class – because chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that enables them to perform photosynthesis, or make oxygen. You can find chlorophyll in nature in many green foods like spinach, parsley, and kale. In supplements, you will see it called chlorophyllin, which is a derivative that’s better absorbed.
Why are chlorophyll supplements gaining popularity?
Chlorophyll supplements may report having antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory benefits that are appealing for a variety of health issues. In pediatrics, its association with improvements in body odor and acne have generated attention on social media with adolescents. It’s important to understand which of these claims is backed by science, and which are just anecdotal hopes.
What do we know about chlorophyllin?
Chlorophyllin may be better absorbed than chlorophyll but eating the whole vegetables that contain chlorophyll has additional associated benefits, like fiber and other vitamins and nutrients. If you choose to supplement, we know that the liquid formulations of chlorophyllin are absorbed better than tablets.
There are some small studies that suggest that chlorophyllin may have some benefits including:
- Antioxidant
- Anti-cancer
- Deodorizing
- Improving acne
CHOP patients have wondered if using chlorophyllin will help address body odor and acne, those common nuisances of the adolescent years.
- Odor: There have been studies on chlorophyllin supplements to reduce the odor associated with urine and stool in elderly patients with catheters and ostomies, but these did not show a statistically significant improvement in smell. So, this supplement is not recommended if you are trying to improve your scent because of sweating or bad breath.
- Acne: Because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, chlorophyllin has had some benefits in adult acne in small studies. In one study, it was used topically in combination with light therapy to improve acne severity and sebum production. While these studies show some promise, the effects were not great enough to warrant this being recommended to all patients. There are many other acne treatments with more evidence that should be used first.
What are some concerns about using chlorophyllin?
While chlorophyllin may have benefits, we also do not have good safety data on children or breastfeeding parents using it. Supplements are not FDA-regulated, so it is also hard to ensure the quality and safety of any supplement. However, no major toxic effects have been reported related to chlorophyllin in the past 50 years.
Side effects of chlorophyllin supplementation may include green urine/stools, mild gastrointestinal upset, or photosensitivity. The risk for photosensitivity means that sun protection to prevent burns is important if you’re using this supplement.
Keep in mind that the supplement will also contain copper and sodium. You should also talk to your healthcare provider and pharmacist about any drug interactions between chlorophyllin and your medications.
What are we still learning?
The research that exists is mostly in the lab, performed on animals, or in small human studies, so larger, placebo-controlled trials are needed to determine how helpful and safe chlorophyllin supplementation is for children. While chlorophyllin has been used for at least 50 years, no significant benefits have been proven from its use and most of what you see on social media is anecdotal, not research-based. Given that chlorophyll is available in all green plants, we should strive to get it in our diet through whole foods rather than in a supplement.
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